שופטים, פרק י״א, פסוק כ״ט

When diplomatic efforts fail and the Ammonite king refuses to listen, a profound transformation takes place in Jephthah's leadership. Rather than waiting passively for an enemy attack, he is moved to launch an active military campaign. This shift is driven by divine inspiration. The primary approach among commentators is that this inspiration is not an abstract mystical experience, but rather a profound inner courage, heroism, and strength granted directly by God. [אברבנאל] adds that this is the holy spirit which traditionally guides the judges of Israel, representing the foundational level of prophecy.

Empowered by this newfound courage, Jephthah gathers his forces and moves through Mizpah of Gilead, which serves as the central assembly point for the local men [ביאור שטיינזלץ]. From there, he advances directly into Ammonite territory [רש"י, רד"ק]. This movement is far more than a simple geographical progression; it is a brilliant military maneuver. Acting as a mighty warrior, Jephthah refuses to wait for the Ammonites to bring the fight to him, choosing instead to take the battle directly into their own land [מצודת דוד, אברבנאל].

[מלבי"ם] details the strategic wisdom behind this decision. The Ammonite army was already encamped within the territory of Gilead. Rather than engaging them in a direct, frontal confrontation, Jephthah chooses to bypass their forces from the side by moving through Mizpah of Gilead. By launching a direct assault on the Ammonite homeland, he executes a clever diversion. This tactic forces the enemy army to abandon their positions in Gilead and retreat to defend their own besieged cities, a move that ultimately leads to their complete surrender.